It’s a three hour drive from Tongyheong to Seoul; two hours shorter than taking the train and bus. The car ride back is filled with laughter and talk. The one thing you’ve never had to worry about with him; the two of you can discuss anything and everything and often do. It makes the car ride seem faster and definitely more enjoyable.

You make only one stop, to fill up with gas and purchase snacks. It feels quite empowering and slightly brings out the devil in you to be the one to grant him a snack or not. He pretends to pout to which you laugh at him for a good ten minutes. He is insulted by that to which he really does pout until you wave a cheese puff in front of his mouth. He chooses then to exact his revenge by not only consuming the puff but nearly taking off your fingers as well. As you squeal in shock he simply smiles devilishly and holds your fingers prisoner with his teeth. He plays with them as he darts his tongue back and forth, applying pressure with his teeth and then releasing.

You’ve only been physical with this man for a little over 24 hours, but have been talking to him almost daily for a month. What was your life like before this? Did you ever smile this much? Laugh this often? Feel so safe and comforted? You know it won’t stay this way, you and Chad’s relationship didn’t. Relationships are hard work and both have to be invested in order for it to stay strong and continually be happy together. You're invested. You made that decision when you agreed to move to Seoul and be with him.

As you arrive at Eun’s, he takes most of your bags but leaves a hand free to usher you through with a hand at your back. You wonder what anyone seeing the two of you will think but thankfully you don’t run into anyone in the lobby, the elevator, or hallway. Eun opens the door with open arms. He walks in first, depositing the luggage and enfolding her in his arms. She waves you in with a genuine smile, and wraps you in a hug as soon as the door closes.

“I intend for us to be the best of friends. I’m so happy for the two of you! In fact, I ordered up a celebratory feast tonight to celebrate!”

He laughs and shakes his head, as he reaches for the luggage again he asks,

“Where did you put her?”

“In the guest wing,” she smiles with a suggestive look. “Privacy is the new word of the day for all of us. God, I can’t wait!”

She throws her hands up in the air and does a little happy dance. [HN] takes your hand and leads you over to the guest side of her apartment.

“Like at my place; her quarters are on the other side, yours will be over here.” He opens the door to a guest suite almost identical to the one at his place. He heads to the other side of the room; “However,” he opens a door, “you have a connecting bathroom here.”

You wander around, heading to the other door in the room and find a walk –in closet.

“Wow, I could almost fit my entire apartment back home in this room.”

He sits down on the bed, “What are you going to do about your stuff in that apartment?”

You walk back over and sit next to him,

“My roommate sublet last month. She said they get along great and they are interested in staying if I didn't return." You shrug, "Besides a few personal things, I can just leave my stuff there and charge a small fee for using my furniture.”

He nods, “Do you trust your roommate to box up your personal stuff and send it or would you rather go yourself and get it done?”

“I do have an open ended ticket but with staying on here and no job, I’m not sure if I went back that I could afford to return again."

He reaches over and takes your hand.

“That’s the easy part. If you can wait a few months, I have business in the states again. You can fly over and back with me. My pilot can fly you to your nearest airport and then back to me in New York.”

You shake your head no, “That’s too much. I can’t let you do that. I’ll figure it out, I’m pretty sure she moved most of my stuff out of the way anyway.”

He reaches over and strokes your face,

“You’re going to have to realize that I want to do things for you and I can afford it. I’m headed there anyway; it gives me an excuse to take you with me.”

You look over into his smiling face, “I’ll pay you back. It might take forever but I’ll pay you back.”

“Loving me and allowing me to love you in return. It’s all I’ll ever ask of you.”

As his lips come down to caress your own, you hear a cough from the doorway.

“If you two want to continue, I suggest shutting and locking the door. Otherwise, dinner and Jaewoon are here.”

Before you can even turn, she’s already left and quietly closed the door behind her. [HN] laughs, stands, and takes your hand.

“Not as embarrassing as being caught by your parents, but almost since we’re like siblings. Now I understand her situation better from over the years." He presses a quick kiss to your lips, "Let’s go join them for dinner before they get the same idea and all the food gets cold.”